The modelling of certain structures in a manner consistent with current practice can lead to significant errors as a result of the non-treatment of multi-dimensional conductive heat flows. A series of multi-dimensional simulations using a modified whole building thermal simulation model have been performed in order to highlight this problem. As a result, it is suggested that all building thermal simulation models should offer a facility to model certain conductive heat flows in more than one dimension. In the case where a one-dimensional simulation is the only available option, sugggestions are offered on how to achieve improved simulations.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Judkoff R.Building Energy Simulation Test (BESTEST)A set of one and two-zone cases for comparing the ability of whole building energy simulation programs to thermally model the building fabrie IEA 12B/21C (draft) (Colorado, USA: NREL) (1992)
2.
Garg N.K. and Oreszczyn T.Energy efficiency in building envelopes through ground integrationSolar Energy53(5) 427-430 (1994)
3.
ApacheDesign and Simulation Suite FACET user manual (St Albans, UK: Facet) (1994)
4.
Davies M., Tindale A. and Littler J.The addition of a 3-D heat flow module to APACHEProc. APACHE BEPAC Conf, York, UK (April 1994)
5.
Davies M.Computational and experimental three-dimensional conductive heat flows in and around buildings PhD thesis, University of Westminster (1994)
Richards P.G. and Mathews E.H.A thermal design tool for buildings in ground contactBuilding Environ. 29(1) pp 73-82 (1994)
8.
CibseGuide ( London: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) (1986)
9.
AshraeFundamentals (SI version) (Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) ( 1993)
10.
Davies M.G.Heat loss from a solid floor: A new formulaBuilding Serv. Eng. Res. Technol.14(2) 71-75 (1993)
11.
Anderson B.R.Calculation of the steady-state heat transfer through a slab-on-grade floorBuilding Environ.26(4) 405-415 (1991)
12.
Latta J.K. and Boileau Heat losses from house basementsCan. Build.19(10) 39-42 (1969)
13.
Mitalas G P.Calculation of basement heat lossASHRAE Trans.89(1) 420-438( 1983)
14.
Krarti M., Claridge D.E. and Kreider J.F.The ITPE method applied to time varying three-dimensional ground coupling problemsASME J. Heat Transfer112 pp 849-856 (1990)
15.
Bahnfelth W P.Three dimensional modelling of heat transfer from slab floors USACERL Technical manuscript E-89/11 ( United States Army Corps of Engineers Research Laboratory) ( 1989)
16.
Speltz J.J.A numerical simulation of transient heat flow in earth-sheltered buildings for seven selected US cities MSc thesis, Trinity University , USA (1980)
17.
Walton G.N.Estimating 3-D heat loss from rectangular basements and slabs using 2-D calculationsASHRAE Trans.93(1) (1987)
18.
Wang F.S.Mathematical modelling and computer simulation of insulation systems in below grade applications Proc. ASHRAE/DOE Conf (December 1979)
19.
Shipp P.H.The thermal characteristics of large earth-sheltered structures PhD thesis , University of Minnesota, USA (1979 )
20.
Mihalakakou G., Santamouris M. and Asimakopoulos Modelling the ground temperature under a building Proc. European ConfEnergy Performance and Indoor Climate, Lyon (November 1994)
21.
Oreszczyn T. and Littler J G FSurface temperature and condensation at cold bridges in buildings and efficacy of remedial measures SERC Final Report (London: Polytechnic of Central London) (1989)
22.
Guy A.G.Some aspects of structural heat losses in the EMC test cells at Cranfield; Site handbook: empirical validation data-sets 099 and 110 from the EMC test room (Energy Monitoring Company) (March 1992)
23.
Jenson S O (ed.) The PASSYS project. Subgroup model validation and development-final report, part I and II 1986-1992 DGXII (Brussels: Commission of European Communities) (1993)
24.
Strachan P.A. and Clarke J.A.Experiences with validating simulation programs Proc. BEPAC Conf, York UK (1994)
25.
Saxhof B., Shultz J.M., and Thomsen K.E.Thermal analyses of Danish low energy rowhouses for IEA SHC Task 13: Advanced solar low energy buildings Proc. Innovative Housing Conf, Vancouver (June 1993)
26.
Yoshino H., Matsumoto S., Nagatomo M. and Sakanishi T.Five-year measurements of thermal performance for a semi-underground test houseTunnelling and Underground Space Technology7(4) 339-46 (1992)
27.
Hasegawa F. , Yoshino H. and Matsumoto S.Optimum use of solar energy techniques in a semi-underground house: first year measurement and computer analysisTunnelling and Underground Space Technology2(4) 429-435(1992)
28.
Lomas K.J.Ground modelling, models of buildings: a new method of empirical validation Research Note 2 Applicability study 1 for ETSU (Leicester Polytechnic, UK) (1991)
29.
Ambrose C.W.Modelling losses from slab floorsBuilding Environ.16(4)251-258 (1981)
30.
Sobotka P., Yoshino H. and Matsumoto S.Thermal performance of three deep basements: a comparison of measurements with ASHRAE Fundamentals and the Mitalas method, the European Standard and the two-dimensionalFEM program Energy in Buildings21(?) 23-34 (1994)
31.
Mitalas G P.Basement loss studies at DBR/NRC Paper 1045 (Ottowa: Department of Building Research National Research Council) ( 1982)
32.
Krarti M., Nicoulin V., Claridge D. and Kreidel S.Comparison of energy prediction of three ground-coupling heat transfer calculation methodsASHRAE Trans.100 (1994)
33.
Loxsom F.Reduced data sets for Kew part II: selettion and testing of a Test Reference Year for Kew (London: Polytechnic of Central London) (June 1986)
34.
Simonsen J.R.Engineering heat transfer 2nd edition (London: Macmillan Education) (1988)
35.
Trent D.S. and Welty R.A summary of numerical methods for solving transient heat conduction problems Bulletin 49 (Oregon, USA: Engineering Experiment Station, Oregon State University) (October 1974 )
36.
Patankar S.V.Numerical heat transfer and fluid flow (New York: Hemisphere) (1980)
